Master confusing words with ease
Lawful vs. Legal
Lawful
/ˈlɔːfəl/Examples:
The contract was deemed lawful by the court.Her lawful duty was to report the findings.Only lawful actions were taken to resolve the issue.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Legal
/'liːg(ə)l/Examples:
A great legal mistake.'As a legal point.'I don't think legal justice has really been done me."
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Both lawful and legal pertain to the law, but lawful often connotes a broader intent of fairness and rightness.
- Lawful tends to imply adherence not only to the letter of the law but also to its spirit and moral foundations.
- Legal is more about adherence to the right letter of the law, focusing on what is explicitly written in the legal code.
- Remember: Legal is often used in formal contexts, particularly within legal systems and documentation.
- Use lawful when referring to concepts or actions that are in general accordance with law and ethical standards.
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